I recreated my favorite spa feature at home with this $149 portable steam sauna. The best part — it folds up and fits under my bed.

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I love a good steam room or sauna at a hotel or gym, but only if I'm alone in the space. For me, it's just not relaxing sitting in a confined, windowless room getting hot and sweaty among semi-naked strangers. But having been an editor at Health Magazine for 12 years, I know the benefits of heat treatments — from alleviating pain associated with headaches and arthritis to helping muscles recover after a workout, to reducing anxiety and stress. Research from the Mayo Clinic shows sauna and steam can also lower blood pressure, improve lung function (especially for those with asthma or sinus issues), and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (heat expands blood vessels, improving circulation and reducing blood pressure).

No doubt having a traditional wooden steam or sauna in your home would be ideal, but if you're like me, the chances of that happening are right up there with having a Bentley in the driveway — slim to none. This is why I was so intrigued when a PR rep introduced me to Homedics SaunaZen, a portable, 13.7 pound steam sauna that cost less than $150. (To note: saunas use dry heat and steam rooms use moist heat — the manufacturer along with others calling similar products a sauna is a misnomer because they use boiling water to produce heat.)

I quickly discovered collapsible steam saunas are having a moment, which may explain why this has been one of the most popular items I've ever reviewed when it comes to my family. My husband, two sons, daughter, and son-in-law jockey for time in the tent — so much so, that I recently joked I may have to post a sign-up sheet. Everyone has their own reasons for loving the steam sauna — my sons and I use it after our workouts, my daughter likes the way it hydrates her skin and hair, while my husband jokes it reduces his arthritis pain while giving him a place to hide from all of us.

However different our reasons for loving it may be, we all agree that this product delivers.

How it works

The pop-up tent unfolds just like a pop-up hamper and stands 4'10" tall with the manufacturer saying it can accommodate heights up to 6'5" when seated (my son-in-law is 6'1" and finds it completely comfortable). Included in the box are four items: the tent (made of three fabrics including a waterproof oxford cloth for moisture protection, a synthetic cotton to hold in heat, and a linen water-resistant exterior), the steamer tank (to hold the water), a hose (covered in the same quilted fabric as the tent), and a foldable chair. The chair is rated up to 275 pounds but doesn't lock into place, making it a little flimsy in feel.

Assembling is a breeze and takes less than two minutes. Simply pop open the tent, place a towel on the inside floor (to absorb any excess moisture), and fill the steamer tank to the max line (making sure the lid is tightly closed by listening for a snap). "You can use hot or cold water — hot will produce steam faster," says Daniel Kaufman, head of corporate strategy at FKA Brands, the parent company of Homedics, who notes adding essential oils to the water is not recommended as certain oils can be corrosive to the tank. "But you can bring a bowl filled with essential oil into the tent, which will allow the fragrance to diffuse and enhance your sauna experience." Next steps include attaching one end of the hose to the outlet on the steamer and the other end to the input nozzle on the tent. Once you plug the steamer into a 120-volt AC electrical outlet and program the dial (I usually set it to 15 minutes), you're ready to go.

Unless I'm transporting the steam sauna, I leave it fully assembled. But disassembling is easy — let everything cool down for 30 minutes, detach the hose, and empty and rinse the tank. It's important to wipe down any water or sweat in the tent and on the chair to prevent mildew (you can do a deeper cleaning by mixing a 1:1 ratio of warm water and white vinegar). I leave the door unzippered when the unit is not in use to allow air flow. Kaufman also recommends keeping the room's door ajar or cracking open a window to provide further ventilation. The steam sauna comes with two storage bags, one for the tent, and the other for the chair, making storage under a bed or in a closet easy.

What it's like to use

The sauna comes with a double-sided zippered door and window, along with a pouch located just outside the window to hold a water bottle or phone. Once plugged into the wall outlet, a green light indicates the unit is plugged in and ready to go, but the water won't heat up until the timer is activated. At that point, a red light signals the unit is heating and actively producing steam. The timer knob, which can be set up to 60 minutes, serves as the on/off button. When the water runs out, or the dial is set back to "0," the unit turns itself off. It takes about 15 minutes for the unit to produce steam, which is not adjustable (to reduce the temperature, you can unzip the window to let in some cooler air).

When you're ready to enter the tent, you simply unzip the door, take a seat, and then zip the door closed. The manufacturer says the unit heats up to 115°F, reaching 100% humidity. I took a food thermometer and found the steam maintained a temperature of 111°F pretty much the entire fifteen minutes I was in there. I continued to run the tank that I had filled to the max line — it emptied at 58 minutes and as promised, shut itself off.

I've been using the steam sauna twice a week and find the steam is the perfect temperature — not so hot that the steam is blinding but hot enough where it feels like you're in a legit steam room. My maximum time in the tent is about 15 minutes, while my family members prefer a longer stay. "The duration of your time in the unit depends on your comfort level, but it's generally recommended you don't exceed 20 minutes in a steam sauna," says Alexis Young, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center. "Studies show you can maximize your health benefits if you use a steam sauna one to three times per week."

Once you emerge from the tent, you're literally dripping in moisture, or as my son Luke likes to say, "You feel like you've been completely detoxed." ("Some toxins do leave the body via sweat including certain drugs, heavy metals, and byproducts of the metabolism including sodium, chloride and urea," says Dr. Young. "However, the organs that are primarily responsible for removing toxins from the body are the liver and the kidneys.") It's at this point you'll appreciate being in your own home, where you can head straight to the shower. Which, according to Dr. Young, is a must-do after a steam session. "In order to cool the body down, sweat evaporates, which can lead to loss of hydration in the skin," she says. "It's important to remove sweat from the body quickly, and to apply a moisturizer while the skin is still damp to help seal in moisture."

You may be wondering if the steam sauna can be enjoyed outdoors — the answer, according to Kaufman, is yes. "Just be sure to bring it inside after each use as the steamer tank isn't waterproof and keep in mind any drop in outdoor temperatures will affect the tent's internal temperature," he says.

Sitting in a small zippered tent could trigger a reaction if you're claustrophobic, but my husband, who suffers from the condition, says he's not affected because of the easy access to the interior zippers on the door and window and because light filters in thanks to the window and the fabric being light colored.

Cons to consider

The first time I used the steam sauna, I scorched my skin by placing my hand too close to the interior nozzle located down by the floor. I quickly learned never to put my hands or feet anywhere near the hose opening (which is why children need to be closely supervised). "Always face the window so your back is to the internal steam vent," advises Kaufman.

Some may not appreciate that the steam only has one setting and the 115°F temperature is as hot as it gets, but I had no problem with either.

While the chair is a nice perk, it doesn't have any back support, which can get uncomfortable if you like to spend long periods of time in the tent. You can bring in your own chair but it's not advised to sit on the floor given its close proximity to the steam nozzle.

Unlike other saunas on the market that feature a two-year warranty, this one is limited to one year.

What are your alternatives?

The SaunaBox Smart Steam Kit Pro is double the price, but comes with increased temperature control and a more elevated appearance thanks to a sturdy fiberglass frame, ThermoShield insulation technology, and its components are BPA and microplastics-free. Plus, all the materials are Oeko-Tex certified. The steam heats up to 130°F and features seven heat settings. It also includes a machine washable sweat mat to help absorb excess moisture, a microfiber towel, a 1-month subscription to the BetterHelp app, a chair with back support, a carrying case, and a 2-year warranty. The company recently introduced a 2-person sauna for $549 called SaunaBox GQ, which connects an app, allowing users to turn on the unit remotely.

Ideal for claustrophobics, the Costway Portable Steam Sauna has an opening in the top that allows you to watch TV (or the kids) while enjoying the benefits of the steam. It comes with 9 timer settings (from 15 to 90 minutes), 9 adjustable heating levels (the maximum heat is 149°F), a box to store herbs, a foot massage roller, an absorbent floor mat, and a chair with back support that can hold up to 198 pounds (and looks like something you'd see on the sidelines at your kid's soccer games).

With its black color and orange piping, this Vevor Compact Portable Steam Sauna is similar to the Homedics model in shape, but is less expensive and comes with 9 steam temperature settings that can be adjusted with a remote, an oxford cloth absorbent floor pad, a plastic foot mat, a chair with back support, and a storage bag.

The bottom line

I find there's no better way to end my day than by sitting in this steam sauna, with the lights dimmed and Alexa playing spa music in the background. I love that it forces me to do nothing — it's truly the only time of the day I'm not distracted, and I always seem to exit the sauna in a better mood than when I entered. That bliss and sense of calmness often carry over into the night, helping me to sleep better.

Most people can benefit from a steam sauna, but there are those who should steer clear: anyone suffering from blood pressure concerns (both high and low), pregnant women, and those with cardiovascular issues, including recent heart attacks, severe valve problems, or an abnormal heart rhythm. "Always check in with your doctor prior to using a steam sauna if you have health issues and be sure you're drinking plenty of water while using to avoid dehydration, which can result in dizziness and fainting," says Dr. Young.